Chapter 19
‘Well. It is kind of cute.’
The way they exchanged words sweetly, having built a barrier around themselves, was quite adorable.
Because of that, it reminded him of Dowoon from his childhood. Back then, Dowoon didn’t have the side effects of Guiding yet, so he was extremely cute. The child who gradually regained his energy and smiled brightly was truly lovable.
But as he grew up, the side effects appeared, and he gradually lost his smile. That’s why seeing him make such a happy face now was something Sunjeong hadn’t seen in who knows how many years.
“Guide Seo is really amazing,” the youngest researcher exclaimed with admiration, nodding his head.
“Seoyul has created a new person.”
Who would have thought things would work out so quickly? Given Dowoon’s personality, she had worried he wouldn’t recognize his own feelings and might cause a scene, but that was unnecessary concern.
To change so quickly into a toothless tiger like this.
Though she wasn’t sure how Seoyul felt about Dowoon, it was clear they would grow closer. Then the Guiding efficiency would gradually increase and get back on track.
‘That’s a relief.’
Sunjeong smiled, thinking all their hard work had paid off.
However, Dowoon’s condition wasn’t entirely positive. While he was soft as a ripe persimmon with Seoyul, he had become an even fiercer wildcat to others.
“You… could kill someone with just that look in your eyes?”
“…What did I do.”
It seemed he was aware of it himself, judging by his belated response.
“Oh? Really?”
“That’s what I’m saying! So anyway I…”
Right in front of them, an oblivious researcher and Seoyul were having a pleasant conversation. It was the result of gradually building rapport while helping with work.
Now Seoyul could always have enjoyable conversations with the researchers. It was a small happiness for him, and anyone could see that.
The fact that he really loved being around people.
“If you keep glaring like that, Seoyul will run away.”
“…”
Only then did Dowoon press his eyes with his hands, which had been fiercely glaring.
“Ah… why am I so irritated?”
…Correction. It seemed he wasn’t aware after all. Of the reason why he couldn’t act on his irritation.
“Hmm.”
“…If you have something to say, just say it.”
Dowoon spoke curtly. Nevertheless, his gaze remained fixed on Seoyul.
“No, I’m just curious.”
“What’s so curious?”
Dowoon knew nothing good would come out of her mouth. Wasn’t she always thinking of ways to tease him?
All of Sunjeong’s kindness went to Seoyul, and everything else was his share.
Still, the reason he asked was because she, more than anyone, would tell him exactly how it was from an objective perspective.
She never told lies under any circumstances. It was like her personal creed.
That’s why Dowoon wanted to ask her. Why the happiness he’d felt looking at Seoyul these past few days had suddenly plummeted to rock bottom.
“Do you know what jealousy is?”
“…”
“You’re jealous right now.”
“…”
“Are you listening? Hey.”
Sunjeong waved her hand in front of Dowoon’s blank face. But his focus wasn’t returning at all.
And for good reason…
‘Jeal…ousy? Me, jealous?!’
Dowoon knew how petty and pathetic an Esper consumed by jealousy looked.
Unable to properly assess the situation and getting angry at their Guide, prioritizing only their own feelings and imposing them on others, obsessing over trivial matters until eventually begging pathetically.
Eventually, when all of that builds up, the Guide says to the Esper:
‘I’m sick of this, let’s stop.’
‘Gasp.’
Dowoon imagined Seoyul saying those words to him. Just thinking about it made him dizzy and his vision go dark.
It was a feeling that must never be revealed. And look at that scene over there. It was an ambiguous situation even to himself.
Seoyul was just having a conversation with a colleague he’d become friendly with. Though he couldn’t understand why it was so entertaining, happy energy was radiating from him.
‘So that’s why I’m like this…’
Dowoon realized his state. He was jealous. Of everything that approached Seoyul.
He wanted to monopolize him and make him look only at himself. But these were just thoughts.
Because…
‘Because that’s what Seoyul wants.’
Yes. That’s what Seoyul wants. Though he didn’t like it, Seoyul wanted it. So no matter how much he disliked it, no matter how irritated he felt, he didn’t utter a single word and just crumpled in a corner.
‘Wow. Can a person…’
Change so much?
Even to himself, it seemed like too serious a change. Until now, he had lived expressing his irritation and anger as they came.
But to change so suddenly like this.
“Now do you get it?”
Beside him, Sunjeong was snickering mockingly. That made a vein pop on his forehead again.
“Shut up.”
But his kindness was limited to Seoyul only. He didn’t care what others thought.
‘Right. Seoyul just needs to think that way.’
Dowoon’s mind began to race, trying to figure out how to handle this petty and dangerous emotion going forward.
* * *
‘Hmm. Why is Esper-nim acting like this all of a sudden?’
The proposal to work together with Dowoon had been successful. But perhaps too successful.
“Where are you going?”
“Huh? Oh, to Team 3. I need to deliver this to them.”
“Really? Then I’ll go with you.”
“What? Together?”
“Why? Is that not okay?”
“Ah, it’s not that it’s not okay, but…”
Why bother…?
Team 3’s research lab wasn’t far away, and the item wasn’t that heavy. But Dowoon always followed him around whenever he said he was going somewhere.
He carried half of the documents that weren’t even heavy, and whenever Seoyul was doing something, he would cling to him offering to help.
And that wasn’t all. He also increasingly asked for help saying he didn’t understand something. At first Seoyul didn’t notice anything strange, but with the repetitive behavior, he realized that Dowoon was doing it on purpose.
“Seoyul. I don’t understand this. Explain it to me.”
“Huh? But I just explained it to you?”
“…I forgot. Do it again.”
Dowoon seemed embarrassed as his answer came a bit late. Seoyul smiled at the awkward lie and explained again.
But then he said with an innocent face that he still didn’t understand.
“I still don’t get it. Can we do it together?”
Not understanding? Saying he didn’t understand how to stick a post-it note was strange. So Seoyul couldn’t help but notice.
The fact that his interest wasn’t in the work but in Seoyul himself.
‘Maybe being close helps absorb energy better?’
Seoyul smiled as he guessed the most plausible reason. Without that, there would be no explanation for this behavior… and he found it quite cute.
Dowoon would sometimes stare blankly into space, and if their eyes met, he would startle and fumble around.
Seoyul knew this was because of his Guiding. Unlike C-grade energy, S-grade energy seemed harder to adapt to, as his expression often softened.
‘If that’s the case, I should stay by his side.’
Working with him was fun, and if being together helped, he was willing to be by his side as much as needed.
So he didn’t notice. The fact that there was one more reason why Dowoon was behaving that way.
“How many minutes did I talk with Guide Seo?”
“Three minutes.”
“…Am I going to die now?”
The youngest researcher approached Sunjeong with a whining voice. Sunjeong snickered at the sight. And for good reason—Dowoon’s behavior had clearly changed lately.
If Seoyul seemed to be having a work-related conversation, Dowoon wouldn’t intervene, but if a personal conversation went on even a little too long, he would sharply steal Seoyul’s attention. And he would give a terrifying look to the other person, telling them not to approach his Guide anymore.
How intimidating that look was.
Those who had known Dowoon for a long time just laughed it off, but the youngest researcher was still scared.
“I often end up talking with Guide Seo, and I’m worried I might get cut down at this rate?”
“No way. But it’s better to be careful.”
“Ah, Team Leader…”
The youngest whined, clinging to her and asking her to do something. But this wasn’t a problem she could fix.
The Esper’s unique obsession with their Guide.
If it crossed the line, she would have intervened first. But Dowoon was eerily good at staying within the boundaries.
‘Is it an Esper’s instinct?’
How sensitive he was to his Guide’s emotions. Dowoon was uncannily good at judging what was acceptable and what wasn’t.
To think that Cha Dowoon would observe someone else’s emotions so meticulously. Sunjeong chuckled, thinking she’d been seeing all sorts of new sides of him lately.
“Guide Seo, would you like to have lunch… EEEK!”
Though it seems there were still some oblivious people making things difficult.
* * *
“…Is it okay to have lunch with just me?”
Dowoon asked with slight unease. His vigilance had paid off, and the research lab people had been fairly repelled.
Repelled… that didn’t sound quite right. It was more like they understood him.
He knew that too, but it was fine because he liked it. However, there was one person who completely failed to notice and kept trying to be overly friendly, which continued to bother him.
‘That bastard’s going to make me get caught.’
Seoyul was already afraid of harsh words and actions. While Dowoon couldn’t completely suppress his personality, he was moderating it appropriately. But because of that guy, he had nearly been caught several times.
This time was close too. Lunch with someone other than Sunjeong. A topic that would tempt the people-loving Seoyul.
“It would be nice to eat with others too, but right now I prefer eating with Esper-nim.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Eating together helps with Guiding, doesn’t it?”
“…”
It wasn’t the most satisfying answer, but he thought he’d be content with this much for now. He felt a bit selfish, but he didn’t want to share his time with Seoyul at the moment.
‘We only have two hours to be together anyway.’
Since Seoyul spent the rest of his time either in the lab or in the dormitory, they had too little time together. So he wanted to be alone with him at least during lunch.
But it seemed heaven was not going to grant Dowoon’s wish.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
